Basic Principles of Moderating
An effective moderator:
- Remains neutral about the subject of the forum and does not express personal opinions nor evaluate the comments of the participants.
- Does not take on an “expert” role with the subject matter, as the moderator's role is not to teach the participants about the issue even if it is a subject she knows well.
- Keeps the deliberation focused on the approaches. When comments go astray, the moderator brings participants back to the issue book framework and ensures that each approach receives equal consideration.
- Listens for values that motivate a participant’s comments. In deliberation, the participant’s values and motives are just as important, if not more so, than his or her opnion. Sometimes people with different opinions share the same motive or value, and that can form the basis for their common ground.
- Intervenes as necessary. If the conversation begins to focus on personalities rather than issues, a moderator reminds the group of the established ground rules or refocuses the discussion back to the issues.
- Asks clarifying questions, if necessary. If a moderator is not sure what a participant means, chances are good that others are also unclear. A good moderator asks the particpant to clarify what he is trying to say, without insinuating that the speaker is inarticulate.
- Encourages everyone to join in the conversation without making comments such as “that’s a good idea” that may be perceived as evaluative or biased. .
- Asks thoughtful and probing questions that encourage participants to consider the potential outcomes of their comments and reflect on the trade-offs that might arise from their recommendations.
- Helps participants find common ground. Participants will not always agree and may sometimes be in direct conflict with each other. A good moderator will seek to focus on “What can we do together even if we don’t fully agre?”
- Encourages deep reflection and asks participants to share why they feel a particular way or what in particular about the issue (or approach) is important to them.